Think Tank with Ben Wattenberg

Season 1

TV-14

Discussion show focusing on trends, conditions, and ideas behind the week's headlines.

Where to Watch Think Tank with Ben Wattenberg • Season 1

44 Episodes

Does Punishment Pay?
E1
Does Punishment Pay?It seems as if a crime wave has crashed over America. The public is looking for answers. Is the solution to this continuing problem punishment, prevention, or both?
Does welfare cause illegitimacy?
E2
Does welfare cause illegitimacy?Think Tank explores possible answers to whether the welfare system has contributed to the rising illegitimacy rate.
Is the press out of control?
E3
Is the press out of control?On certain kinds of stories the media seems faster, meaner, more competitive and addicted to new rules and rituals. Are media firestorms changing American politics, and is political coverage getting too personal?
Will immigration change the American way?
E4
Will immigration change the American way?A new wave of immigrants is coming to America. Are they taking American jobs? Are they eroding American traditional culture? Or do the new immigrants bring economic growth and strong values, helping to create the first universal nation?
Smoking: Is Big Brother becoming Big Nanny?
E5
Smoking: Is Big Brother becoming Big Nanny?Think Tank discusses the government's role in limiting cigarette smoking, in light of the Smoke-Free Environment Act before Congress. How far should the government go in telling people what risks they can take?
Does Clinton have foreign policy?
E6
Does Clinton have foreign policy?Now that the Cold War is over, American foreign policy seems to be adrift. Many different labels to help describe America's foreign policy mission abound throughout America, but not one classification seems to hold steadfast. They offer no consensus about whether or not and how to intervene in troubled parts of the world.
The role of the First Lady
E7
The role of the First LadyThink Tank attempts to answer the question, what is the proper role of the first lady in the 1990s?
Is America being anti-religious?
E8
Is America being anti-religious?Are we moving from a nation based on freedom of religion to one based on freedom from religion? Has the separation of church and state gone too far?
Adam Smith: 21st century man?
E9
Adam Smith: 21st century man?A big fight over international trade is brewing in America. Which view holds true for America in the 21st century?
Is there help for the homeless?
E10
Is there help for the homeless?Many theories have arisen to explain the rise in homeless people throughout the past two decades. Think Tank explores this issue by asking three basic questions: Who are the homeless? Why are they homeless? And what can we do about the homeless problem?
What is wrong with Congress?
E11
What is wrong with Congress?Many American citizens have a negative view of congressmen and senators. But most congressmen and senators work hard and honestly. So, why are so many voters angry with them? Think Tank explores the some Americans' poor perception of Congress.
Is population a problem?
E12
Is population a problem?The world population has greatly risen. Is this increase a real problem and a justifiable cause for the world to be fearful? Or is it no big deal?
Defusing the Korean bomb
E13
Defusing the Korean bombFor 50 years, the most exclusive club in the world has been the club of nuclear nations. Now renegade North Korea may be only months away from joining the nuclear elite. What can be done to stop North Korea from getting the bomb?
Thomas Jefferson: Champion of liberty or dangerous radical?
E14
Thomas Jefferson: Champion of liberty or dangerous radical?Who was Thomas Jefferson and what would he think of America today?
Where next America?
E15
Where next America?Just 25 years ago, America planted the Stars and Stripes on the moon. A great nation had achieved a great feat. But soon we scaled back. Is America no longer looking for new frontiers?
Is health insurance a right?
E16
Is health insurance a right?Should the government guarantee health insurance for everyone?
What's at stake in Haiti?
E17
What's at stake in Haiti?It's been three years since the Army seized power in Haiti. Now President Clinton may send in the Marines. Is that the best thing for Haiti? Is it the best thing for America?
The Christian right in American politics
E18
The Christian right in American politicsThe Christian right has become a powerful force in the Republican Party, sparking debate over religion and politics. Are they representative of the American people's traditional, conservative views? Featuring Larry Sabato, Michael Cromartie, Michael Kazin, and Randall Balmer.
Did Woodstock change America?
E19
Did Woodstock change America?Did Woodstock mark the end of the '60s, as some say, or was it the beginning of a countercultural revolution that is still playing itself out in American society?
Who won the Cold War?
E20
Who won the Cold War?The Cold War may be over, but the fight over who should get the credit for winning it has just begun. Was it Ronald Reagan's hard line that pushed the Soviets over the edge? Was it Mikhail Gorbachev's perestroika that paved the way for Russian democracy?
Environmentalists vs. landowners
E21
Environmentalists vs. landownersA major new debate is unfolding concerning property and environmental regulation.
Are American elections fair?
E22
Are American elections fair?One man, one vote has long been a central principle of the American electoral system. But now some say our elections lead to a tyranny of the majority, leaving the interests of minority groups out of play.
Can America's schools be saved?
E23
Can America's schools be saved?American school children aren't learning what they should. Do we need to set nationwide educational standards to help them compete in the global economy?
Election '94: What's at stake?
E24
Election '94: What's at stake?The Democratically controlled Congress surrounding the election of 1994 is in danger of losing their majority of seats. It seems that the Republicans have the Democrats on ropes and that challengers have incumbents in a corner. How come?
Who owns history?
E25
Who owns history?It is often said that history is written by the victors, but today many so-called victims are getting their chance to be heard. Some worry that America's rich historical tale is being replaced by a new story with America cast as the villain.
A conversation with Charles Murray
E26
A conversation with Charles MurrayThink Tank discusses the controversial book The Bell Curve, which analyzes the relationship between intelligence, ethnicity, race and success in America.
Race, I.Q., American society and Charles Murray
E27
Race, I.Q., American society and Charles MurrayIs there a racial difference in IQ? And what is the future of America if it becomes increasingly stratified by intellectual ability? These questions surround the debate over Charles Murray's recent book The Bell Curve.
Has feminism gone too far?
E28
Has feminism gone too far?On this episode of Think Tank, two controversial feminists, who share a view that is different from the modern feminist movement, discuss what is wrong with other feminists' outlooks.
1994 elections: Is it the end of an era?
E29
1994 elections: Is it the end of an era?In the 1994 election, why did Americans vote the way they did? And where does this election fit in the American electoral history?
Will the Democrats come back?
E30
Will the Democrats come back?Think Tank discusses whether the Democratic Party, the so-called party of government, will flourish when it no longer pulls the levers of congressional power.
Environmental risks: What's real? What's not?
E31
Environmental risks: What's real? What's not?Are Americans being poisoned by industrial pollution and pesticides, or are these threats vastly exaggerated?
Is the G.O.P. on the right track?
E32
Is the G.O.P. on the right track?Discussion on the future of the Republican Party, in light of their aggressive policy proposals, which have emerged from their tremendous victory in the 1994 congressional elections.
The rebirth of American religion: A conversation with Paul Johnson
E33
The rebirth of American religion: A conversation with Paul JohnsonThink Tank talks one on one with the social critic Paul Johnson about America, the American people and their religion.
1994: The year in ideas
E34
1994: The year in ideasThink Tank looks at the ideas that have been bubbling to the surface of American thought during 1994, notably the increasing mobility of goods and technology, consumerism, human nature and evolution, and the public's values.
Is this a new, New Deal?
E35
Is this a new, New Deal?Some say the New Deal didn't end until January 4th, 1995, when the Republicans finally took over Congress. Does this new congress signal a dramatic shift in the politics and policies of America?
Is America taking a chance on gambling?
E36
Is America taking a chance on gambling?With nearly every state interested in opening casinos, gambling in America is on a roll.
Can the states do it better?
E37
Can the states do it better?Many Americans feel that big government and big think tanks shape policy. But all across the country, state governments and state think tanks are tackling serious problems, sometimes with remarkable success.
An interview with James Q. Wilson
E38
An interview with James Q. WilsonJames Q. Wilson, one of America's eminent social scientists, talks about how he sees the state of the union, after the president's 1995 State of the Union address. He discusses the issues of crime, welfare, the family, and America.
The pope and modern times
E39
The pope and modern timesPope John Paul believes he is battling for the souls of America's Catholics. Can his austere moral vision triumph over America's wide-open culture? Is the pope out of step with the modern times, or is he shaping modern times?
The budget balancing act
E40
The budget balancing actThink Tank discusses the recent controversies surrounding the recent problematic budget proposals.
Should drugs be legal?
E41
Should drugs be legal?Are the current tactics for winning the war on drugs ineffective? Some say that we need a new approach to solve the criminal, economic, and health woes of the drug epidemic. Is legalizing drugs the key to solving America's increasing problems with drugs?
The Republican Congress: The first fifty days
E42
The Republican Congress: The first fifty daysThis past November, we elected a new congress. This new body of lawmakers is consisted of a majority of Republicans. Think Tank checks the progress and actions of the new congress during its first fifty days.
Is Russia a threat again?
E43
Is Russia a threat again?Russia is in turmoil: war in Chechnya, a stagnant economy, a faltering democracy. But does trouble in Russia mean trouble for America?
Is contemporary art, art?
E44
Is contemporary art, art?Today artists are pushing new limits. Has art become too abstract? Too political? Too obscene? Should the federal government pay for it? Think Tank attempts to answer, what is contemporary art and what makes it important or different?